Wanneer heb je een format ?

Als je de eerste bent met het draaien van muziek uit de 80's heb je dan een 80's format ?

En wat als dat format populair blijkt maar je bereikt slechts een stuk van de windy city CHICAGO met zijn 7,6 miljoen inwoners omdat je eigenlijk niet uitzendt vanuit de city zelf.

Dan springt Clear Channel in dat gat en zet een vergelijkend format op een station met 50kw zodat jijzelf overbodig wordt.

Enige nadeel is wel dat Clear Channel het format niet echt begreep en 'verkracht' heeft maar voor WXXY was het ondertussen al te laat.

Jeffrey T. Mason was de bedenker van 'the 80's channel' in Chicago en CC heeft het zogenaamde 80's format verder om zeep geholpen.



Hier is de story en de juiste formule :

In early 1999, a small yet ambitious company called Big City Radio gave the go-ahead to launch America's FIRST true "All 80's" music radio station. Program Director Chris Shebel, Music Director Jeffrey T. Mason & Consultant Steve Davis were hired to create this monster.

On Friday, August 6th 1999 at 12 Noon, "The 80's Channel - 103.1 WXXY" was born in Chicago, IL! The first song: "Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles. (The first video ever aired on MTV!)

The 80's Channel started a trend that many radio stations across the globe would soon follow...and tragically wreck. This was due to leaving out key ingredients in the recipe. This simple recipe called for broad-spectrum 1980's music. (Pop, Rock, Dance, New Wave, Rhythmic, Hair band...even Bubble Gum!)

It called for high-energy, flashy imaging between the songs. It called for compelling personalities with a love for the 1980's and it's music. It called for innovative promotions and marketing tactics - to keep the listeners interested and excited!

WXXY contained ALL of these ingredients.
However, most of the "clones" did not.

Many 80's stations tried and died...by either leaning in ONE musical direction too far, or just by lacking the PASSION required for this type of station. Music in the 1980's covered SO many genres. On any Top 40 station of the day, you'd hear Bryan Adams, followed by Prince, followed by Duran Duran, followed by Bruce Hornsby & The Range, followed by Expose, followed by RATT. A true 80's music lover wants to hear ALL those types of songs. Not just hair bands or new wave. So, these stations ultimately failed.

"What happened to WXXY," you might ask?

Unfortunately, it died as well.

ABC/Disney signed on their version of the 80's format in Chicago in late 2000. Due to a weak suburban signal, the powers-that-be decided that WXXY could not compete with a full signal competitor, and decided to bail on Monday, January 29 2001.

Had Big City Radio known then what they know now, "The 80's Channel" MAY have stayed on air longer. But, that's a moot point.




De vormgeving was super en bestond uit JAM jingles gekozen uit de Z100 pakketten en klonken bijzonder lekker.


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